Taylor, a former gymnast, filed a civil lawsuit in the Southern District of Florida Tuesday alleging the incidents occurred in 2017 and 2018.

Brown's lawyer, Darren Heitner, said in a statement that his client denied raping or sexually assaulting Taylor. In a statement, the Patriots acknowledged that the NFL will be investigating the allegations:

Here are five things to know about Brown, Taylor and the lawsuit:

Antonio Brown's been in the news a lot lately

Brown, a native of Miami and former Central Michigan star, was traded to the Oakland Raiders in March after nine seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Following a series of run-ins with Raiders brass in recent weeks, Brown was released last week and subsequently signed a one-year deal (with an option for a second year) with the New England Patriots this week.

Among the events that led to the Raiders' release of Brown included holding out of training camp over the prohibition of a helmet he wanted to continue wearing, being fined due to the unexcused absences and an ensuing blow-up with general manager Mike Mayock during a practice.

How Brown, Taylor met; subsequent relationship

According to the lawsuit, Brown and Taylor met in 2010 while both were student-athletes at Central Michigan.

Taylor claims the two were paired up as bible study partners during her first meeting as part of the college's Fellowship of Christian Athletes group. The lawsuit alleges she and Brown lost touch after he was drafted by the Steelers (in 2011) and after she transferred to LSU (in 2012).

After graduation, Taylor opened Taylor'ed Gymnastics Training Center in 2016 in Memphis.

According to the lawsuit, Brown and Taylor reconnected in June 2017, at which time he "indicated he wanted Ms. Taylor's help improving flexibility and strength in his ankles and fast twitch muscles — areas in which she had developed expertise through gymnastics."

Brown allegedly raped Taylor on May 20, 2018 at his Miami home, after visiting a nightclub along with an unnamed football player.

The lawsuit also alleges two incidents of sexual battery in June 2017, false imprisonment, invasion of privacy and emotional distress.

Taylor is seeking an award of damages to be determined at trial for all non-monetary and compensatory harm, punitive damages in an amount to be determined at trial and "such other and further relief as the Court may deem just and proper."

Heitner told USA TODAY Sports in an email that Brown and his legal team "are discussing next steps internally."

“Antonio Brown will leave no stone unturned and will aggressively defend himself, including exercising all of his rights in countersuits,” he later wrote on Twitter.

Taylor's statement (via her lawyer, David Haas): “As a rape victim of Antonio Brown, deciding to speak out has been an incredibly difficult decision. I have found strength in my faith, my family, and from the accounts of other survivors of sexual assault. Speaking out removes the shame that I have felt for the past year and places it on the person responsible for my rape. I will cooperate with the NFL and any other agencies; however, at this time, I respectfully request that the media please respect my privacy.”

NFL investigation?

The Patriots released a statement late Tuesday indicating the NFL intends to investigate the matter.

"We are aware of the civil lawsuit that was filed earlier today against Antonio Brown, as well as the response by Antonio's representatives. We take these allegations very seriously. Under no circumstance does this organization condone sexual violence or assault. The league has informed us that they will be investigating. We will have no further comment while that investigation takes place."

Brown looks on during warm-ups of the Steelers' 2018 season finale against the Bengals. He had been declared inactive for the game after skipping practices, a walkthrough and a team meeting in the lead-up to the game following a dispute with QB Ben Roethlisberger. Charles LeClaire, USA TODAY Sports

Brown was traded by the Steelers to the Raiders in 2019, but never played a game for the Silver and Black. The offseason was filled with drama: he got frostbite on his feet from a cryotherapy machine and filed multiple grievances with the NFL over the ability to use a helmet that was no longer certified. The latter issue resulted in missing some time with the team, which led to disagreements with GM Mike Mayock. Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports